From tailgating, downtown Iowa City, and a beautiful campus... The University of Iowa is the PERFECT college town. The professors care about you, even in a class of 300. There's so many opportunities, you WILL find the place you fit in.
Do you have any tips for prospective students?
Are you scared of a big school? Don't let that be the reason you don't attend The University of Iowa. You can let the school feel as big or as small as you want. Depending on your major, there might be classes where you can't get out of attending big lectures, but if you sit in the first few rows, you completely forget that there are people behind you! Scared you won't make friends? Sign up for Greek Recruitment! Even if you are 100% positive you won't join greek life, you will make lots of friends through the process of recruitment! It's inevitable.
Do you find there’s enough academic rigor at your school?
The classes are only as hard as you make them. If you maintain perfect attendance, I promise you that you won't fail. There are definitely weed-out classes for Nursing/Pre-med students. Just be prepared! Go to your Professors Office Hours... they want to help you! You won't have troubles finding a place to study, the library if perfect and the higher the floor, the quieter it gets.
Describe the dorm life at your college.
LIVE IN THE DORMS YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR. I went into college knowing only a few kids from my hometown. My floor mates were life savers with that. We all would go out together the first few weekends. Eventually, everyone is best friends. There are movie nights, floor dinners, and parties in the corner room that our RA doesn't know about. Yes, roommates fight. But it's part of the experience. It will make for good stories. The dorms are cleaned everyday and the showers are rarely gross(rarely is mostly towards the morning after we went 12-0 in football!)
Describe the food and dining at your college.
There are definitely many options. We have two main dining halls, Hillcrest and Burge(one on each side of the Iowa river.) They are buffet style, and so it can be hard to make yourself stop! By the end of first semester, you will be convince you're tired of the food.. but after winter break you'll be really excited to eat it again! Dining is really cool because they will make theme meals for us like around Thanksgiving and other holidays.
What’s there to do for fun at your college?
No matter what you want to get involved in, there is a place for you at The University of Iowa! A lot of people are involved in Dance Marathon, and I recommend that for sure! Greek life is growing, as well. I personally like intramural sports because I'm not too competitive. If you need volunteer hours, a lot of people volunteer at The University of Iowa Children's Hospital or even the Ronald McDonald House! Downtown Iowa City is always lively, even on Wednesday nights. No, you don't have to drink to have fun!(Please, don't let our high party school ranking scare you away.) There are so many things to do besides drinking. There are a wide variety of writers that come to Iowa City and read their poems and books to an audience. There are always movies playing through CAB(Campus Activities Board.) Last week, CAB put on a Laser Tag event just like out of How I Met Your Mother! There really is something for everyone at this school.
Do you feel you’re getting value for the money you’re spending on college?
Within our tuition, we get to go to all sporting events for free(besides Football & Men's basketball.) We get a huge recreation center, student health & wellness benefits, and more specific options!
Share any unusual traditions or locations on campus
The Brain Rock! It's a big boulder right outside Pomerantz Center. Before(and sometimes after if we really need it.) tests, students will touch/hug the rock in hopes of good luck.
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
Iowa had over 500 clubs and organizations! At Orientation, they have a speaker talk about how you should Pick One! and go from there. It's a really good idea!
Are you involved in any clubs or activities?
It's growing largely, and I personally recommend it. You meet a lot of people, get involved in things right from the start, and also get a lot of chances for a good resume builder!
How would you describe campus safety? Do you feel safe on campus?
I have PERSONALLY always felt safe. But I won't lie to you, we have gotten HawkAlerts saying that people have been assaulted before. A lot of times, however, it is by someone that the victim previously knew. So it's definitely possible to happen anywhere. If you are coming from a small town, it could be a shock because there are a ton of different races, and types of people. But I strongly believe that the majority of them are safe. I just say you should walk with a buddy. ESPECIALLY if you have been drinking. Don't go the back ways at night, I also carry pepper spray on my key chain! But I have never even had to get it out.
From tailgating, downtown Iowa City, and a beautiful campus... The University of Iowa is the PERFECT college town. The professors care about you, even in a class of 300. There's so many opportunities, you WILL find the place you fit in.
Are you scared of a big school? Don't let that be the reason you don't attend The University of Iowa. You can let the school feel as big or as small as you want. Depending on your major, there might be classes where you can't get out of attending big lectures, but if you sit in the first few rows, you completely forget that there are people behind you! Scared you won't make friends? Sign up for Greek Recruitment! Even if you are 100% positive you won't join greek life, you will make lots of friends through the process of recruitment! It's inevitable.
The classes are only as hard as you make them. If you maintain perfect attendance, I promise you that you won't fail. There are definitely weed-out classes for Nursing/Pre-med students. Just be prepared! Go to your Professors Office Hours... they want to help you! You won't have troubles finding a place to study, the library if perfect and the higher the floor, the quieter it gets.
LIVE IN THE DORMS YOUR FRESHMAN YEAR. I went into college knowing only a few kids from my hometown. My floor mates were life savers with that. We all would go out together the first few weekends. Eventually, everyone is best friends. There are movie nights, floor dinners, and parties in the corner room that our RA doesn't know about. Yes, roommates fight. But it's part of the experience. It will make for good stories. The dorms are cleaned everyday and the showers are rarely gross(rarely is mostly towards the morning after we went 12-0 in football!)
There are definitely many options. We have two main dining halls, Hillcrest and Burge(one on each side of the Iowa river.) They are buffet style, and so it can be hard to make yourself stop! By the end of first semester, you will be convince you're tired of the food.. but after winter break you'll be really excited to eat it again! Dining is really cool because they will make theme meals for us like around Thanksgiving and other holidays.
No matter what you want to get involved in, there is a place for you at The University of Iowa! A lot of people are involved in Dance Marathon, and I recommend that for sure! Greek life is growing, as well. I personally like intramural sports because I'm not too competitive. If you need volunteer hours, a lot of people volunteer at The University of Iowa Children's Hospital or even the Ronald McDonald House! Downtown Iowa City is always lively, even on Wednesday nights. No, you don't have to drink to have fun!(Please, don't let our high party school ranking scare you away.) There are so many things to do besides drinking. There are a wide variety of writers that come to Iowa City and read their poems and books to an audience. There are always movies playing through CAB(Campus Activities Board.) Last week, CAB put on a Laser Tag event just like out of How I Met Your Mother! There really is something for everyone at this school.
Within our tuition, we get to go to all sporting events for free(besides Football & Men's basketball.) We get a huge recreation center, student health & wellness benefits, and more specific options!
The Brain Rock! It's a big boulder right outside Pomerantz Center. Before(and sometimes after if we really need it.) tests, students will touch/hug the rock in hopes of good luck.
Iowa had over 500 clubs and organizations! At Orientation, they have a speaker talk about how you should Pick One! and go from there. It's a really good idea!
It's growing largely, and I personally recommend it. You meet a lot of people, get involved in things right from the start, and also get a lot of chances for a good resume builder!
I have PERSONALLY always felt safe. But I won't lie to you, we have gotten HawkAlerts saying that people have been assaulted before. A lot of times, however, it is by someone that the victim previously knew. So it's definitely possible to happen anywhere. If you are coming from a small town, it could be a shock because there are a ton of different races, and types of people. But I strongly believe that the majority of them are safe. I just say you should walk with a buddy. ESPECIALLY if you have been drinking. Don't go the back ways at night, I also carry pepper spray on my key chain! But I have never even had to get it out.